Recommend me a video card!

[Lola]

Ok people, now that Xmas is almost around the corner, I hear tell that my family might get me some gift certificates to replace my graphics card. So what should I get?

It'll need to be a PCI, within the $75-100 range (I can possibly go 110), and since I keep hearing from different corners that a geforce card is best for NWN (which is what started this whole mess), try to stick to those guidelines. So keeping in mind that I don't speak techie (I still can't remember which is RAM and which is ROM half the time), pimp a card you think will keep me from having time to knit a scarf while my dialogue loads!

 

[Welverin]

I'll leave the pimping to others

(I still can't remember which is RAM and which is ROM half the time)

RAM is a temporary form of memory, I think of it like short term memory. It’s what’s used to run programs.

ROM is the permanent type of memory, kind of like long term memory. This is where programs and files are stored on (e.g. your hard drive, cd’s, floppy disks)

 

[jdavis]

$100 is a gold mine if your looking for a PCI card (most of the high powered cards only come in AGP). Tigerdirect has a decent selection: http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/category/category_slc.asp?CatId=319

The Geforce FX5200 or the Radeon 9200se would both be decent cards that are $99. Since you want to stick with Nvidia go with the FX5200.

newegg.com has two PCI geforce FX 5200 cards (one of $79 and one for $82): http://www.newegg.com/app/Viewproduct.asp?DEPA=0&submit=Go&description=video%2Ccard%2CPCI&searchdepa=0&srchFor=geforce

You could try pricewatch to get a cheaper price but $79 will be tough to beat: http://www.pricewatch.com/

 

[gariig]

Friendly warning, TigerDirect is a pretty lowsy retailer to deal with. They have a mediocre reseller rating. Newegg is really the best place to shop.

Gariig

 

[Lola]

Thanks muchly. I now have my eye on a particular one.

*counts days until christmas*

 

[jdavis]

Friendly warning, TigerDirect is a pretty lowsy retailer to deal with. They have a mediocre reseller rating. Newegg is really the best place to shop.

Gariig

Newegg's website is lousy but their prices are really good. I normally use Tigerdirect to look things up as they are easy to use and have good information on products (as does TCcomputers: http://www.insightcomponents.com/ic/index.php ) Their prices are not that good though, I normally use them to figure out what I am looking for then use pricewatch to get a good deal. Another good site is: http://www.tcwo.com/

 

[shadowlight]

Regardless of what card you get, I'd recommend getting it from newegg.com

I just built a computer from scratch, and after searching around on pricewatch.com, I found that newegg is always among the least expensive. However, a lot of the really cheap internet companies have really bad customer service (I've read about people waiting for months to get their orders filled, broken parts, and worse). Not so with Newegg! I placed my orders on Thursday, and had everything in hand by Monday! Their customer service group has also been really responsive.

2 Thumbs Up for NewEgg!

 

[Henry]

Thanks muchly. I now have my eye on a particular one.

*counts days until christmas*

Piece of advice - go with either an ATI Radeon 9X00 series, or if going with an NVidia-based card, go with something higher than the MX series of chips (go Ti4200 or better). the reason is that the Nvidia I have found is compatible with a larger ranger of games than the Radeon, and the MX series (which I currently own) is not as powerful as some of the other Ti series chipsets (the 5600 and 5900 come highly recommended). the RAM on the card, as long as it is 64 MB at least, is satisfactory.

 

[Ristamar]

Piece of advice - go with either an ATI Radeon 9X00 series...

I agree. Consider coughing up some extra cash, as you'll get far better performance for your dollar, and you'll likely end up saving money in the long run because you won't have need/desire to upgrade for a longer period of time. The current budget cards of choice would be the 9600 Pro (about $140) or the newer 9600XT (about $180).

EDIT: Argh. Forgot about the PCI requirement. I don't believe the Radeon series comes in PCI flavors.

 

[jdavis]

I agree. Consider coughing up some extra cash, as you'll get far better performance for your dollar, and you'll likely end up saving money in the long run because you won't have need/desire to upgrade for a longer period of time. The current budget cards of choice would be the 9600 Pro (about $140) or the newer 9600XT (about $180).

EDIT: Argh. Forgot about the PCI requirement. I don't believe the Radeon series comes in PCI flavors.

I believe the top of the line PCI cards are the nvidia FX 5200 and the Radeon 9200, there just isn't a lot of big buisness for PCI cards. (for AGP cards the Radeon 9600 pro is probably the best bang for the buck right now).